Conan

Ability to compromise...

How about this tone? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pCw3Aw9yyk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pCw3Aw9yyk[/url]

Can't believe I've just read this entire thread! Do I feel enlightened? No. Have I learned anything? No. But it has reinforced my pre-existing knowledge that BC is a very cool place where people with very differing experiences and opinions can debate in a passionate but safe way. Jolly good show chaps! BTW, old bassists are not better - it's just that there is so much more going on in music now that the skills of individual musicians are more part of the whole than they maybe were 30 years ago. YMMV of course!

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1330011242' post='1551387'] I used to use one when I was a kid, would use it to jump things on my BMX. Not sure what it's used for on a bass though. [/quote]

Swings and roundabouts I would guess. They can encourage/enforce a lighter touch, yes - but surely at the cost of limiting dynamic range? What's so bad about "digging in"? I wouldn't have one, but then again I am heavy-handed and not very subtle!

So where are all these Classics and RH450s that everyone was buying last year and now few seem to still have? According to the crits these amps were the dogs' danglies and now they seem to attract widespread slagging. Can perceptions really change that much in a few months or was this another case of Emperor's Clothes syndrome?

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1329828880' post='1547962'] There are millions of musicians who can play Beatles (for instance) songs, but it took the Beatles to write them. To me, that's the important bit. [/quote] True, but you'll wait a long time to see the Beatles. Meanwhile, there are thousands of pubs and clubs that simply wish you to entertain their punters for a couple of hours and are prepared to pay you for doing so. If the venue, audience and band are happy what's the problem? Currently I play in two bands - one originals and one covers. They are different bands because of the people in them, not because of who wrote the material we play. If i stopped enjoying EITHER of them I would quit. I really don't understand the rather elitist attitude that some people have about playing covers. There is so much music around that it CAN be all things to all people, and what is an original tune anyway? A hotch-potch of ideas that have already been used and the same notes and chords but in a different order! If you think your music is [i]truly[/i] original, then either you haven't listened to enough covers or you are Jimi Hendrix. If it makes you happy, do it. If not - stop. It's really not that complicated.

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1329829442' post='1547975'] Seriously, what's odd about a seller disguising a serial number? [/quote] More to the point, why would anyone want to? But if it can be explained (rather than just "oh, it was like that when I got it") then maybe there is no problem.

If the seller can't explain the strange pixellation issue on the headstock, I wouldn't go anywhere near it. £650 may be reasonable for a thirty year old Fender, but it's a lot of money to waste!

You guys get audiences?!?!

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1329687626' post='1546050']he sure aint no Verdine...[/quote] He sure ain't [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lid4mMad8o&feature=related[/media]

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1329586781' post='1544627'] There's more to life and luthiery than Fender Precision and Jazz basses. [/quote] Is anyone claiming otherwise?

Lovely!! I actually prefer the shape over a real Wal, which I've always found to be a bit ugly... Lovely tone too! Well done

Quite a few of the places I've used have Ashdown MAG backline. I have been surprised how decent it can sound if you spend a bit of time fiddling with it. The 300 watt head is plenty loud enough, especially if it is running through two cabs. Trace gear is great and is pretty bulletproof (except for the slider knobs, which seem to come off quite easily!). Extremely heavy, but that doesn't matter ifit's going to be in the studio all the time. Peavey - ticks all the boxes and lasts for ever... Cab-wise, I've always found 15 inch drivers to be the most versatile in the smallish rehearsal room environment - but I'm not sure it would make all that much difference in such a situation. Most people who have decent amplification themselves only use practice-room backline for the convenience value. They don't tend to expect an amazing hi-fi tone. So as long as it is loud enough, clear enough and reliable enough everybody should be happy! Where is it in Haddington BTW?

Peaches. JJB and Keith Floyd at the same time!!